Local Area Optimized Uplink Control Channel

A method for receiving uplink signaling and data transmission from a terminal device at a network element, the method comprising:

• receiving a sounding reference signal;
• receiving a control channel and a data channel during a same sub-frame;
• extracting control information and data from the control channel and the data channel;
• and
• using the sounding reference signal as a demodulation reference signal for the control channel.

A computer readable medium tangibly encoded with a computer program executable by a processor to perform actions comprising:

• applying, during a transmission, at least one of:
• time division multiplexing and frequency division multiplexing between a sounding reference signal, a control channel, a demodulation reference signal and a data channel;
• applying clustered sub-carrier mapping for the sounding reference signal and the control channel;
• transmitting the sounding reference signal so as to function as a demodulation reference signal for the control channel;
• and
• transmitting the control channel and the data channel during a same sub-frame.

A computer readable medium tangibly encoded with a computer program executable by a processor to perform actions comprising:

• receiving a sounding reference signal;
• receiving a control channel and a data channel during a same sub-frame;
• extracting control information and data from the control channel and the data channel;
• and
• using the sounding reference signal as a demodulation reference signal for the control channel.

An apparatus for performing uplink signaling and data transmission between a terminal device and a network element, comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following:
• apply, during a transmission, at least one of:
• time division multiplexing and frequency division multiplexing between a sounding reference signal, a control channel, a demodulation reference signal and a data channel;
• apply clustered sub-carrier mapping for the sounding reference signal and the control channel;
• generate a signal to cause a transmission of the sounding reference signal so as to function as a demodulation reference signal for the control channel;
• and
• generate a signal to cause a transmission of the control channel and the data channel during a same sub-frame.

An apparatus for receiving uplink signaling and data transmission from a terminal device at a network element, comprising:

• at least one processor;
• and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following:
• generate a signal to cause a reception of a sounding reference signal;
• generate a signal to cause a reception of a control channel and a data channel during a same sub-frame;
• extract control information and data from the control channel and the data channel;
• and
• use the sounding reference signal as a demodulation reference signal for the control channel.

An apparatus for performing uplink signaling and data transmission between a terminal device and a network element, comprising:

• means for applying, during a transmission, at least one of:
• time division multiplexing and frequency division multiplexing between a sounding reference signal, a control channel, a demodulation reference signal and a data channel;
• means for applying clustered sub-carrier mapping for the sounding reference signal and the control channel;
• means for generating a signal to cause a transmission of the sounding reference signal so as to function as a demodulation reference signal for the control channel;
• and
• means for generating a signal to cause a transmission of the control channel and the data channel during a same sub-frame.

An apparatus for receiving uplink signaling and data transmission from a terminal device at a network element, comprising:

• means for generating a signal to cause a reception of a sounding reference signal;
• means for generating a signal to cause a reception of a control channel and a data channel during a same sub-frame;
• means for extracting control information and data from the control channel and the data channel;
• and
• means for using the sounding reference signal as a demodulation reference signal for the control channel.